The Liberian Students Council Government of Northern Cyprus, headed by Jeff George Moore, is in the country to meet with the Government of Liberia (GOL) and other stakeholders to discuss key issues affecting the livelihood of Liberian students in Cyprus.
The students’ leader, Moore, informed the Hot Pepper that, among key issues brought to the attention of the government, is the absence of a Liberian embassy or consulate office for Liberians there.
According to the Northern Cyprus student council President, international students based in Cyprus are arrested daily for immigration issues, such as residence permit, etc.
He noted that several Liberian students have been sentenced for years by the Cyprus government, indicating that all these are happening due to the lack of a Liberian embassy or consulate office in that country.
He said usually international students from Cyprus pay about US$2,000 as round-trip fare to renew their passport in order to avoid being arrested.
According to him, he came with a six-member delegation from the student council government, including Tonzeah Zarwolo, Vice President for Administration; J. Duana Fofana, Chairperson on Crisis Management Committee; Tikonti Tyee, Chairperson on Academics; Mitchell Vonyon, CIC Representative.
Moore stated that they brought key issues confronting the wellbeing of Liberian students in Cyprus to the government in order to find amicable solutions.
He stated that Liberian students are making headway, but are most often sent out of class due to the lack of school fees, calling on the government to provide assistance to students in such categories.
Commenting on his leadership platform, Moore noted that his leadership has embarked on a new initiative called “food bank”. The food bank initiative, he said, aims at providing food for Liberian students who find it challenging to eat daily.
Currently, about five thousand Liberian students are in Cyprus for studies.
